THE maker of Pedigree and Banks’s beer delivered better-than-expected sales figures after a winter boosted by England’s Ashes cricket triumph.
Marston’s said own-brewed beer volumes rose by 4% during the 23 weeks to March 12 compared with the same period a year ago.
The improvement contrasted with a decline of about 7% for the wider UK ale market.
As sponsor of the England team, the Pedigree brand was boosted by the Ashes victory in Australia.
Sales of bottled beer – leapt by 16% across all brands, including Banks’s and Jennings.
Midlands-based Marston’s managed pubs division lifted like-for-like sales by 2.4%.
The upward trend continued in the first weeks of 2011, it said.
